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Chapter 56
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Holiday Hearts Chapter 57
"I think," Summer said, "maybe we should start with lunch." She picked up her bag and her blanket. "Come on up to the house. I'll fix you a sandwich and you can tell me about your new house and new job."It was an olive branch, and Matt's mom hadn't raised a stupid son. He smiled and stood. "Lunch would be great. We can go out somewhere if you want - if you're not comfortable being alone with me yet."She tipped her head and looked him up and down then grinned. "We'll eat on the deck. It's just barely visible from the house next door, and I warn you I can scream really loud. Deal?" She stuck out a hand.Matt shook it, even though he'd have rather pulled her into his arms. Then he stepped back and gestured for her to lead the way to her rental house. "Deal."Matt waited for her out on the raised wooden deck while Summer went into the kitchen to collect things for sandwiches. Her stomach churned so violently she didn't know if she was going to be able to eat, but putting together fre
Holiday Hearts Chapter 58
Huh. She had to think about that. Was there anything important they hadn't talked about? An idea popped into her head. "Do you have pictures in your wallet of your family?""Not in my wallet, but on my phone." He reached into the back pocket of his shorts and pulled out a leather wallet. "ID's in there. You should look at it." From the other pocket he pulled a smart phone and started pushing buttons.Summer opened the wallet and looked at the driver's license showing through a clear plastic window. Matthew H. Warren of Morgan's Creek, Texas. The picture was undoubtedly his, though his hair was shorter and he looked younger. The birth date was November second, the one she remembered. He was three years older than she. Everything added up, except for one thing. "No South Carolina license yet?""I didn't want to get a new one until I can use my new address." He nodded at her to keep going. "My military ID should be right underneath. It has a more recent picture."It was. Matt looked o
Holiday Hearts Chapter 59
Matt collected his T-shirt and sport sandals from his pickup then climbed back into the passenger seat of Summer's classy little blue sedan. He didn't really care how they spent the day, as long as she let him spend it with her. Sooner or later, he had to believe she'd let down the walls she'd built and remember how good they were together.Of course he also enjoyed the idea of shopping with her to furnish his house. After all, if he had his way, she'd be living there soon herself. She might as well like whatever he bought. Besides, it would be good to see how their tastes coincided.The long, narrow island just off the coast had a Victorian downtown at the far end, giving it a small-town feel even though it was only thirty minutes or so from Charleston. Matt had looked at houses out here, but they were beyond his price range. One thing that hadn't occurred to him was the differences in how he and Summer had been reared. She'd always been wealthy, never done without. Matt had learned
Holiday Hearts Chapter 60
Shopping with Matt was fun. They dropped the kites and toys in her car before walking hand in hand to the antiques mall across the street. It was a huge, old feed store that had been converted so numerous dealers each had areas for their wares. Consequently, the place was piled high with junk and treasures. Summer loved poking around in here because she spotted something new every time, even if she hardly ever bought anything. Her tiny apartment was already overflowing. Seeing the place through Matt's eyes was even more enlightening. He had an appreciation for craftsmanship and vintage technology that she hadn't known about from her - their - dreams. She watched him examine antique tools and machinery with a connoisseur's eye."There's an old workshop in the garage of my house," he said absently. "Maybe later I'll get to building or fixing up things on my own.""I imagine you'd be good at anything you try." Oops! She hadn't intended to say that out loud."Thanks." He dropped a kiss
Holiday Hearts Chapter 61
Once outside in the sunshine, he pulled her closely against his side as they strolled down the sidewalk toward the beach. As it wasn't quite dinnertime, they took their time, window shopping in various little stores. Summer kept pointing out things he'd need to set up housekeeping, and Matt kept grunting. Apparently buying furniture had exhausted his interest in shopping.The sidewalk ended at a small playground right in front of the sandy ocean beach. They stood together for a while, watching half a dozen children playing on the swings and slide. Matt squeezed Summer's hand."You know, we never once talked about kids," he murmured in her ear. "Well, maybe back in high school. But never as adults.""That's because I thought you were a dream," she reminded him. "Didn't seem pertinent. Whenever we were together, we had better things to do than talk.""True." His heartbeat quickened audibly.She was sure hers did too, thinking about the dreams."So, do you want a big family?" His vo
Holiday Hearts Chapter 62
Matt sat on his lumpy hotel room bed and tried to pay attention to the television.His meeting today with Summer hadn't gone as well has he'd hoped, but it had gone better than he had any right to expect. She hadn't told him to take a flying hike, but he was still stuck here while she was in her lonely bed, miles away. At least now she knew he was real. What was it going to take to convince her he was serious about her, about them? He'd spent his whole life falling in love with Summer. He didn't want to wait months or even years for her to fall in love with him.He'd done more walking than usual today, and his hip ached. Since he was trying to keep his use of pain pills to the bare minimum, he went down to the hotel's pool area and lounged in the hot tub for a while, letting the heated jets relax the stiffened muscles. A small spa was definitely something to consider for his backyard. He figured it could be added unobtrusively, without significant damage to the landscaping. That thou
Holiday Hearts Chapter 63
Saturday morning, Matt had mixed feelings about loading his luggage into his truck and checking out of the hotel, but he reminded himself that if Summer threw him out, he could find another place to stay until Monday.As he loaded his briefcase, he picked up a small velvet box and flipped it open. The round diamond solitaire in a gold flower setting winked up at him. He'd bought it in Switzerland a year ago, when he'd been on leave from a posting in Germany. The moment he'd seen it, something about it had just said, "Summer". He'd been carrying it around like a talisman ever since.Wishing himself luck, he stashed it at the bottom of his laptop bag.On the way out to her rental house, he picked up several boxes of condoms, a six-pack of his favorite beer, a big bunch of bright gerbera daisies, and the chicken he'd promised her for lunch. He even bought her coleslaw, along with a green salad for him.Trying not to look too anxious, he drove slowly, not pulling into her driveway unti
Holiday Hearts Chapter 64
It was time to bite the bullet. Summer dragged in a deep breath. "In my room. It's kind of designed for kids, but with three of the others married now, I got last pick." Except for poor Sam, who would be stuck up in the overhead loft on a sleeping bag. At least her room had a full-sized bed, even if it also had a pink canopy and a shelf full of kids' books and toys. If the family grew any larger, they'd have to start renting two houses for their summer vacations."You sure?" His voice dropped to a husky rumble, and all thoughts of canopies and children's books disappeared from Summer's mind.She looked up at him and smiled. Who did she think she was fooling? She'd known from the moment he appeared on her beach that they'd end up in the same bed sooner rather than later. "I'm sure. It's the one at the far end of the hallway."Suitcase in hand, he motioned for her to lead the way. Once inside the tiny bedroom, he laughed. "You weren't kidding, were you? I'm going to hang over three, i
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